How Much Does It Cost To Repair a Pop-Up Camper Roof? (Tips)
They say that if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. But that is not always the case. Pop-up trailers are small and do not have large roofs so you should be able to afford to repair the one on your little camper. The key is getting the right materials and looking for all the damage
How much does it cost to repair a pop-up camper roof? If you do it yourself and find the right materials, the cost of repairing a small pop-up camper’s roof can be about $300. However, when it comes to repairs, size does matter and the costs go up as the size of your trailer gets larger. Don’t forget that roof leaks can cause other costly damage as well.
To learn more about the cost of fixing your pop-up camper’s roof just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can budget your money accordingly. Always add 10% to any estimate to cover unknown expenses that crop up.
Pop-Up Camper Roof Repair 101
Can You Replace The Ceiling Of a Pop-up Camper?
Yes, it can be done but the problem you will face is attaching the new ceiling material to the foam roof that acts as insulation. In some models, you will find that the ceiling is made from luan plywood which can be easily damaged if there is a leaky roof.
It is possible to remove that plywood from the foam and add whatever ceiling material you want to have. Since you are attaching new material to foam, you may not be able to use nails or screws.
You would have to use an adhesive that works on both foam and the new ceiling material. There should be plenty of options to choose from in both ceiling materials and adhesive. Also, you may want to add in some wood and plastic molding to add to the new decor.
The repair cost should not be that expensive if you do it yourself and if your camper’s ceiling is not that large. Plus, materials can be found at cheaper outlets to save you some extra money.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair a Pop-up Camper Roof?
This time it is not just size that matters. It will be the amount of damage that the leaky roof caused that will add to your bill. if you are just fixing the leak, then you may be able to get away with just spending $200-$300 depending on the materials, etc.
Where the extra expense will be is in all the damage that you may not see initially. Water finds the easiest path and as it travels it does harm the different components found in your pop-up camper.
One of those issues will be mold and mildew. You would have to take off molding, and other parts to see if those bacteria agents found a home in your camper. The cost of cleaning up those issues is minimal but expensive in time.
Then there is rotted woodwork, possibly damaged wires and both of these repairs can get expensive. The extent of the unseen damage may not be that much if you catch the leak right away. Then you may only be out a few hundred dollars.
The other major cost of a camper roof repair will be labor if you do not do the work yourself. then you are looking at paying another $500-$700 to have someone do the work for you.
Pop Up Camper Roof Replacement Cost
This will depend on the materials you choose to replace the current roofing materials you have on your camper. Replacing the canvas alone will run you between $1000 and $2000 plus about another $500 for labor costs if you hire a professional.
If your roof is cracked, then the cost of repairing the roof will boil down to the materials you buy and your time in applying those materials. Some people use an ABS Powder and Methyl Ethyl Ketone Powder mixture while others use fiberglass roof tape or a leak stopper product.
Most people do not replace the metal roof part at all. They do replace components on the roof and if you own a Coleman pop-up camper, you can find the parts prices at this link.
Which parts you buy is determined by what is damaged and needs to be replaced. others just apply a rubber roof compound or similar products to make the roof like new again.
It is hard to put a price tag on these efforts as the materials are all priced differently at different outlets and prices can change without notice. For a regular RV, the quoted price is roughly $300 per linear foot but you won’t get anywhere near that cost with a pop-up camper.
How Do You Repair a Roof on a Pop-up Camper?
The first step is to assess the damage and figure out which components and materials you will need. These materials can range from a rubber roof coating product to trim, molding, roof seals, and so on. You may also need to replace the old air con system if it is damaged.
Once you have the materials you need, you start removing the old parts you want to replace. If there is no real interior damage and the wood is not rotted out or the metal damaged in some way, then you can move on to the third step and start putting the new materials in place.
Start with the top of the roof first and apply the product or products you want to fill the cracks with. Then move on to the other components bought to replace the old parts.
These are just the steps for an easy repair job where the camper has not had any other damage done due to the leak. if there is interior damage, then it is a whole new ballgame and you will have your hands full.
After removing the old parts, the first thing you have to do is kill any mold or mildew that may have started growing in those hidden areas. If the wood is rotted out, you will have to replace the wood and on it goes.
Sometimes it is best to just buy a new camper instead of making all the repairs needed if there is severe interior damage.
Finding a New Roof For a Pop-up Camper
One of the problems in this topic is that most people seem to simply rebuild or repair their old roofs. They do not search for a replacement nor do they talk about where you can find a replacement roof.
Part of the reason is that most pop-up campers do not get a lot of damage done to them and it is easier to repair than to replace. You can check used pop-up camper parts & supplies stores to see if they have any on hand.
Or you can contact the manufacturer of your particular pop-up camper and see if they can help you. failing that, you can try wrecking yards or other businesses that deal in damaged pop-up campers.
There are not a lot of easy-to-find locations that advertise replacement roofs for pop-ups unless they make the roofs themselves and sell you a customized one. You can try the classifieds, including Craigslist, to see what is available but if the roof is attached to another camper, it better be very cheap.
Coleman Pop Up Camper Roof Replacement
Here is the story we found out about. Coleman went to an ABS-style roof because they could construct it without any seams. No seams, no water leaks. However, What they did not figure on was the sun. The sun-dried out the ABS material causing cracks etc.
To make a long story short the pop-up camper division of Coleman/Fleetwood went out of business and now it is supposed to be impossible to get your roof replaced. You are stuck with repairing it with other products that are sun resistant.
With research, one owner went with the ABS MEK patch method, followed by a good coat of UV protectant bedliner. This repair seems to have worked out and it is reported that the repair methods available are better than if you replaced the roof.
When Coleman went to the AlumiTite Krystal Kote Composite Roofs for the GT and GTEs models, different problems arose and replacement was out of the question. The repair could take place if the problem is a few cracks and not any sagging.
Some Final Words
If you are looking at buying a pop-up with a leaky roof, it is best you just move on. There are plenty of models on sale without this problem. If you do not want a project camper or are not a handyman, this is the best direction to go.
